Nigeria’s Facility Management Bill: Victory not yet for practitioners, companies as understanding of FM remains low

The passing of the Facility Management Council of Nigeria bill on July 17 2018, after many years of agitation from the practitioners of the evolving industry in the country, has indicated Nigeria is ready to be part of developed countries and others in Africa that have recognised essence of the profession in moving the country towards sustainable facilities maintenance and quality infrastructure.

The bill, obtained by Infoprations, was sponsored and co-sponsored by Senator Ahmad Abubakar, Adamawa South, and Senator Bala Kaka. The bill when it becomes Act will saddle the Facility Management Council of Nigeria (FMCN) responsibilities of registering persons and organisations seeking to practice facility management, setting regulations and standards, inspecting facilities, discipline erring members, sanction facilities, advancing professionalism in the study and practice of facility management, organizing expositions, publishing books, journals, magazines, and other periodicals.

As the Senate passed the bill, practitioners and companies still need to ensure the passage of the bill by the House of Representatives and assent into law by President Muhammadu Buahri.

Beyond these, stakeholders in the industry equally need to orientate and re-orientate the users of FM solutions across the country, especially those in public sectors. This is imperative because Infoprations’ analysis reveals that Nigerians’ interest in the core terms of the “Facility Management” definition stated in the bill is low.

According to the bill “Facility management” denotes the general coordination of activities that are involved in facility service, facility care, facility maintenance management, facility planning.” Analysis indicates that South Africa is the only country in Africa where people sought knowledge about the core terms in the definition between 2013 and 2018. This shows that stakeholders need to carry out intensive awareness campaign and education of the populace on the four terms.